A nation’s health is intrinsically linked to its economic prosperity. With the rise in economic activity comes the challenge of balancing a healthy lifestyle with financial well-being. This challenge brings us both promise and peril.
The promise rests in maximising our unique human potential while simultaneously empowering us to make financial progress. The peril, on the other hand, sets in when our monetary ambitions lead to choices against our health.
For Malta to experience sustainable progress, this balance must be maintained and, if required, restored to give the population better chances of avoiding serious illnesses and promote better health for future generations.
One such initiative for the population of Malta is Saħħtek. Officially launched on October 31, it heralds a much-needed research project of excellence and innovation that can help determine the impact of healthy lifestyle choices and genetics on our health, especially with regard to diabetes, hypertension and obesity.
Saħħtek has a special focus on one of the diseases that afflict a large proportion of the Maltese population – diabetes. The aim is to study in greater detail the burden of this condition on the Maltese, together with a close look at related risk factors.
Advancement in technology has made it possible for us to study the complex factors at play in our bodies and the respective roles of and interplay between genetics and lifestyle in determining ill health.
The study will be a driving force in developing research into the risk factors for diabetes
Over the next two years, the study will recruit more than 4,000 participants representing the current adult population demographics to investigate the environment and genes and their effect on our well-being.
The last frequency study on diabetes of this magnitude was conducted in 1981.
The study is aimed at gaining a precise estimate of the prevalence of diabetes, both diagnosed and undiagnosed, together with the related conditions of obesity and hypertension, as well as the levels of physical activity, tobacco consumption and nutritional intakes. The study will explore the risk factors that are leading to these conditions nationally. It will also identify any links between these important diseases, various lifestyle factors and genetics. Among these risk factors lie the major causes predisposing the Maltese population to type 2 diabetes; the most common type of diabetes among the Maltese.
By analysing the information contributed by participants, researchers will be able to explore the reasons why some people in Malta’s population develop certain diseases and why others do not.
The project will become increasingly valuable for medical research purposes over the next few years and will enable evidence-based policy- and decision-making for non-communicable diseases.
However, the success of Saħħtek is dependent on the voluntary participation of the public who would have been lucky enough to have been selected to participate, as contributors of their biological samples, personal information, time and commitment.
The steering committee of Saħħtek, which is led by the chairman, Julian Mamo, is committed to raise awareness, dispel fears and misconceptions and evoke belief in the project. It is also committed to educate the public about health issues that are prevalent in Malta so they can truly understand the potential benefits and hazards involved in non communicable diseases in Malta.
For Saħħtek to be successful, public participation is crucial.
Thanks to the support of Saħħtek partners, the study will be a driving force in developing research into the risk factors for diabetes and related diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, which are major health challenges for the Maltese population. It will further stimulate development in the local medical research programme and serve as an important resource for developing preventative strategies for illnesses prevalent in Malta.
Importantly, it provides a model for public involvement. Through inviting the public to contribute to the medical research, Saħħtek promotes Malta as dedicated to raising awareness and committed to educating the public about important health issues.
It is also expected to complement the generic health survey that is currently being conducted by the Directorate for Health Information and Research within the Ministry for Energy and Health, under the name of European Health Interview Survey.
Saħħtek will also present an opportunity for synergies between the two research initiatives to study even better the context of this disease in our population.
These steps are expected to lead to a number of key benefits to the medical science research landscape in Malta.
Mainly, Saħħtek will: promote support for the medical research efforts being undertaken; support scientists who are involved locally in medical research in health; give our communities an opportunity to play an active role in future evidence-based care contributing to developing better health for Malta; and give the population a better chance of understanding and tackling the diabetes menace.
Sarah Cuschieri is coordinator of Saħħtek - Health and Well-being, a nationwide cross-sectional health study.